Emporia State WR Jaylen Varner to transfer to Minnesota

The Gophers get a grad transfer wide receiver

Emporia State wide receiver Jaylen Varner announced Monday after his recent official visit that he will be transferring to Minnesota. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Varner recorded 90 receptions for 1,080 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this season with the Hornets. He signed with Missouri as a defensive back out of high school before electing to transfer to Division-II Emporia State after his first year, but did not play in 2020 as the Hornets did not have a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his last three seasons with the Hornets, Varner amassed a combined 177 receptions for 2,049 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.

Joining a wide receiver corps led by Daniel Jackson, Le’Meke Brockington, and Elijah Spencer, Varner should add depth and competition. He becomes the second transfer wide receiver to commit to Minnesota, following Penn State transfer Cris Driver.